Glasshouse sector energy use on rise

Between 2006 and 2011, the sector's total electricity use rose by more
than 28 per cent, according to a report from Wageningen UR.

In 2011, 82 per cent of glasshouse electricity was used for lighting,
while vegetable growing accounted for one-quarter of this.

The report added: "Future estimates predict a continued increase in
electricity consumption in the greenhouse horticulture sector." But it
suggested that greater use of LED and switch fuse groups lighting could
moderate this.

Diffused light can increase the production of tomatoes by up to 10%, even when this brings a drop in the overall light transmission into the glasshouse, according to a report by Wageningen University & Research (WUR).